A light for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s potential.
ORIENTATION
TO
SERVICES
On April 1, 2011, Lake of the Woods Child Development Centre
and the Patricia Centre for Children and Youth amalgamated to
improve service for children, families and communities.
PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Programs and Services
 Access Services
Access Services processes referrals for a wide range of voluntary children’s
services throughout the Kenora and Rainy River Districts. Case management
and service coordination is also provided for high needs and complex special
needs children and youth under the age of eighteen years.
 Adult Community Case Management
This program provides service coordination for adults (18+) who meet the
eligibility requirements
 Best Start Hubs
The Best Start Hubs provide information on healthy child development and
parenting and supports parents/caregivers through casual conversations,
planned education sessions and play-based learning activities. Information is
also provided on services available in the community, including specialized
services for families with young children. Best Start Hubs are located in Kenora
(including outreach in Minto) and Sioux Lookout. Mobile services are also
provided in Minaki and Sioux Narrows.
 Child and Family Intervention
This service is for families with children and youth who are experiencing social,
emotional or behavioural difficulties. We offer a range of interventions which
recognize and emphasize the primary role of families in assisting their children.
 Child Care Services
The Agency operates four licenced Child Care Programs in Kenora. Full day
Early Learning programs are located at Cameron Bay Children’s Centre and
Lakewood School. Before and after school programs are located at Lakewood
School, St. Louis School and Keewatin Public School.
 Child Development
We provide Child Development services for families with infants and children
(aged 0-6) who have a developmental delay or disability or those children who
may be at risk for developmental delay. These services include screening,
counselling and parenting programs.
 Follow-up Services
Prior to ending services, Agency staff will work with you to negotiate a plan for
follow-up that takes into consideration the outcomes achieved and your
preferences. This plan will enable relevant persons (e.g. teachers, doctors) to
assist in continuing to meet your needs.
 Healthy Starts Program / Canada Prenatal and Nutrition Program
Healthy Starts is a prenatal and nutrition program for expectant and new
mothers. The programs operate in Kenora and the Red Lake area. The goal of
the program is to promote the health of pregnant women and new mothers and
their babies (up to the age of 6 months). Healthy Starts provides a range of
services including breast feeding education, pre-natal courses, dietary
assessments, nutritional counseling, food preparation training and referrals to
other service providers.
 Rehabilitation Services
This multi-disciplinary team of occupational therapists, physical therapists and
speech language pathologists provide services and support to infants, children
and youth with physical, developmental, communication or complex special
needs to help them achieve their potential, develop independence and enrich
their quality of life.
The team provides services throughout the Kenora and Rainy River districts. The
rehabilitation plan will depend on the needs of the child, parents and caregivers
and the resources available in the community.
 Prevention Services
Staff are available to provide educational programs and training as a community
support service. Subject areas may include parenting, relationships violence,
separation/divorce, etc. Programs are designed to provide participants with the
necessary skills to manage difficult situations prior to their occurrence. The
Agency also has educational materials, pamphlets and a lending library.
Information on children’s mental health issues is made available to clients and
the general public at no charge.
 Respite
Dryden and Surrounding Area
The Respite program provides family relief for parents of children and youth who
have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. To be eligible for services,
the individual must be residing in the family home. Services are also available for
families of children and youth up to the age of eighteen years where the
individual has an on-going medical condition.
Out of Home Respite
This program provides funding directly to parents of children with multiple special
needs (physical and/or developmental) to assist them in hiring individuals to
provide respite services. This service is available to families with children under
the age of eighteen who reside in the family home. The service is provided to
families residing in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts, who without planned
respite support, may be at risk of breakdown and/or the child would require a
long-term residential placement.
 Telepsychiatry
The Telepsychiatry program allows for the provision of psychiatric consultation
via interactive video link with the Division of Child Psychiatry, University of
Toronto. The consulting psychiatrist interacts with the child and the family via
two-way television equipment based at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Privacy and confidentiality are completely guaranteed.
 Treatment Foster Care
In partnership with child welfare agencies, FIREFLY provides support and
education to families whose home is designated as a treatment foster home.
 Youth Justice Committee
The Youth Justice Committee Program offers an alternative to the formal court
process for young people who have committed low risk offences. Using a
conferencing model, the focus is on repairing the harm and making the youth
accountable for their actions through meaningful consequences.
 Youth Justice Services
This service is for youths who have been identified as young offenders in a Youth
Court. Services include a variety of cognitive-based, behavioural interventions
provided on an individual, family and/or group basis.
Who Do We Provide Services To?
Families with children and/or youth who are experiencing developmental,
physical, emotional or mental health challenges are eligible for services, as well
as adults who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability.
Participation in services is voluntary. We cannot compel you to participate in the
services of the Agency.
We provide service to those who reside within the service area of one of the
Agency’s offices:
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Dryden, Ignace and surrounding areas
Kenora and surrounding areas
Red Lake, Ear Falls and surrounding areas
Sioux Lookout, Hudson and surrounding areas
Access Services are available is Atikokan, Dryden, Fort Frances, Kenora, Red
Lake and Sioux Lookout.
FIREFLY strives to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate services
to meet the unique needs of children, youth and families.
Services will be provided in a manner that respects cultural,
religious and regional differences.
Where appropriate, services will be made available in the French language.
CLINICAL RECORDS
The clinical record is a collection of information about you and your family. It includes
demographic information such as name, telephone number, address, etc., as well as
information about service activities with you and on your behalf.
The record contains specific information about the purpose, plan, process and progress
of your involvement with FIREFLY.
Records are monitored by supervisors to assess the quality and quantity of work and to
evaluate and improve the services of the Agency. Statistical information is used for
administrative purposes to help assess client needs, service patterns and to make
decisions about the allocation of resources and funds.
Privacy and Confidentiality
You have a right to confidential service. Information about you or your child cannot be
given to others outside the Agency unless you have given your permission. In
exceptional situations, the Agency is required to release information by federal or
provincial law. These circumstances include the reporting of abuse or the identification
of a child/youth who may be at risk of harming themselves or others.
For complete details, please refer to the Privacy brochure which was given to you at the
time of your referral.
How Do We Protect Your Information?
Your child and family’s information is kept confidential. Only the people who need to see
your clinical record are allowed to see it. All agents of FIREFLY including staff, directors,
volunteers and accreditors are bound by a statement of confidentiality. Your personal
information, whether stored in paper or electronic format, is protected by physical and
electronic measures. We keep personal information only as long as needed to meet the
purpose for which it was collected, as required by law or in accordance with a specific
Agency policy.
Rights of Access
Those who wish to view their records must make their request in writing.
Parents/guardians who wish to see the record of a child aged 16 years or older must
have the written consent of the child. In circumstances when a child 12 to 15 years of
age is receiving services under Section 28 of the Child and Family Services Act,
parents/guardians would not have access to the record of their child. Section 28 allows
a child to receive service without the knowledge and consent of their parent/guardian.
RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR USERS OF OUR SERVICES
RIGHTS
Services are voluntary and you will receive service only if you agree to participate.
FIREFLY cannot compel anyone to receive service.
Youth 12 to 15 years of age may receive confidential counseling under Section 28 of the
Child and Family Services Act without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
In situations where the child’s parents/guardians are separated or divorced, the parent
having legal custody of the child is the parent who must consent to service. If there is
joint custody, both parents must consent to service. If one or both parents refuse to
provide consent, the Agency is not able to provide service. In such situations, it will be
suggested that the parents seek some form of mediation outside the Agency to resolve
their disagreement regarding service provision.
You have the right to be involved on a regular basis in the planning and review of
service.
You have the right to carry out the role of “lead case manager” and provide direction to
the case management process when your child/family is receiving multiple services
and/or is involved with more than one agency.
You have the right to make a complaint about the Agency or the services you received.
You have the right to be informed about treatment/service options and the likely benefits
and risks of these options.
You have the right to end services when you want.
RESPONSIBILITIES
You are responsible for regularly attending your scheduled appointments. If you are not
able to attend a scheduled appointment, you are expected to contact the Agency at the
earliest possible time to cancel and arrange a new appointment date.
You are expected to carry out the agreed-upon responsibilities as outlined in the
Agency’s service plan.
24 HOUR HELP NUMBERS
Child Welfare
Kenora and Rainy River Districts Child & Family Services
Atikokan
Dryden
Kenora
Fort Frances
Red Lake
Sioux Lookout
597-2700
223-5325
467-5437
274-7787
727-2165
737-3250
Crisis Services
Crisis Response Services for Kenora/Rainy River Districts
Kids’ Help Phone
Kids’ Help Phone Website
1-866-888-8988
1-800-668-6868
www.kidshelpphone.ca
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
Crisis Response Services for Kenora/Rainy River Districts
Rape Crisis Line – Kenora Sexual Assault Centre
Atikokan
Dryden
Kenora
Red Lake
Sioux Lookout
Atikokan Crisis Centre
Hoshizaki House
Saakate House
New Starts for Women
First Step Women’s Shelter
1-866-888-8988
1-800-565-6161
807-597-2868
807-223-3226
807-468-5491
807-727-3303
807-737-1438
1-800-465-3348
1-800-465-7221
1-800-465-1117
1-800-565-5368
1-800-465-3623
Emergency
911 is the emergency number for most residents in the 807 area. Check local listings to
confirm.
Poison Control/Information
1-800-268-9017
Problem Gambling Hotline
1-888-230-3505
Telehealth Ontario Nurse on call – 24 hours 1-866-797-0000